Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1887-12-12
A PITIABLE CASE.
THE SAD CONDITION OF THREE LITTLE
CHILDREN.
Living With Thar Parents, Grown Daughter and
"BOardsr," in Thicket Of Willows
Along the River.

Wheeling gentlemen, and the details, Iut
nished REGISTER reporter, are published
in the hope that some steps can be taken,
in this Christmas season, to afford some
measure Of relief to the miserable family,
glimpse into whose life will be given, and
especially with the desire that the eondl-
ton of three little children be materially
improved.
Several days ago, Mr.. John Cook, OF
North Main street, had occasion to make
a trip two or three miles up the river, and
while there, discovered family living IN
a rude hut in the dense willows, on the
bank of the river. After a very hasty
examination into their condition, Mr..
Cook came down to the city and related
the situation 10 DIR. Geo. |. Garrison, under
the impression that that gentleman was a
county official OF could in some manner
secure relief. DIR. Garrison accompanied
Mr.. Cook back up the river Friday, and
Saturday they called the attention OF the
county authorities 10 the matter, and also
communicated with the Managers of the
Children's Home.
Upon their visit Friday, the two gentle
men penetrated the thicket of willows
which line the West Virginia shore oppo-
site the Sisters Islands, and there came
upon the habitation of the family. The
alleged shelter had been formed by bend
ing the tops of several large willows to-
gether, and tying them with rope. Sticks
had then been laid across in the forks OF
the willows, at about the height OF man 5
head above the ground, while driftwoOd
and slabs had been leaned up against the
bare trees 10 keep out some OF the weather.
The roof was matched over, except in one
corner, where an opening had been left TO
let out the smoke, with weeds, brush and
two or three old rays, but one inside had
no trouble in seeing daylight all around
the walls and the sky overhead. The
main part OF this most primitive dwelling
was about 1Oxl0 feet, aud at one side was
a sort of al, " about 6XS feet. The larger
space was used as sort Of living room. a
wood fire burned in one corner, the smoke
from which made its exit through the hole in
the roof, and the furniture was made up
of two old chairs, dinner pot, stew pan,
two Clipped cups and saucers, an old coffee
pot, two baskets, q tin cup and bucket.
The smaller apartment had about two feet
of dried grass in it, and here the family
slept, huddled together like pigs. The
only thing in the shape OF bed clothing, or
of clothing of any sort, save the few rags
the people bad on, was an old gum coat.
As the two gentlemen approached the
site of this house they first came upon
three little children, two boys OF ak and
eight years, and girl of three, playing
barefcOted along the edge OF the water.
The little ones ran of to the house rs the
two visitors approached, and woman,
who was afterwards ascertained to be the
mother, coming from the interior, the kids
took shelter behind her. The converse
tim was opened by Dr.. Garrison asking;
where are the menu
Anything wroug?' was the reply.
She was assured that not only was
everything right" but that they had
come to offer AID, at which information
the woman became communicative. She
said her husbands name was Glen B.
Mills, and that her name WAS Nancy.
They came from Bellaire, and the family
consisted of herself and husband, the
three children above mentioned, a daugh
ter of 20, and "bOarder," making seven
persons in all She said the 'boarder's"
name was Mike Kelley. A specimen of
the conversation is appended;
"How long since ycu lett Bellaire|'
Cant tell, stranger
DO you know what month, or day of
the week it i~2''
Don't know, stranger; dOu't keep no
count
doesn't the rain come in on yop%"
"Oh, Lord, yes, stranger"
What do you do
1--WE have to take what comes
'How old is your Boarder2'
"Oh, Lord / don't know. never
asked lin. Has gray-hairei "
And you don't know how long you've
been here?
81 tell you he truth, stranger, we amt
kept no count
What have you had to eat to- day."
1--WE had two fat cakes for breakfast.
Amt had no dinner"
What have you got to eat"
Nothing but two pounds of flour
Have you any money"
"Not cent on earth, stranger"
Have you asked for aid IRON anyOne''
ne, stranger"
The visitor asked the Oldest boy what
he did for dry place to sleep when it
rained lie brought out piece of board
about foot wide and i've feet long, and
said:
II sleeps under de board when it rains,
and on top when it, dry"
"DOes your father drink whisky he
vas asked.
Yes, pap drinks, and mother drinks,
and lie h0sFder drinks, and my big sister
she can drink whole Cupful."
Where do you get meat
Sometimes | catch minnOwS aud craw-
fish"
The children, all bright little things,
did not hsvs enough clothes on to wad a
gun, and must suffer greatly from exposure
and the cold and wet, TO say nothing o:
being hungry.
DIR. Garrison and Nc. Cook took the old
est boy to a roadside store, and bought
bread, potStaas, &c., for the family, and
then came to town, aud endesvored to do
something more for the people, and espec-
tally for the three small children. The
County Commissioners were spoken to. as
was also Mr.. W. A. List. The latter said
the Managers OF the Childreu's Home did
not care to go out of the city to look up
cases. Then Judge Jacobs was asked to
do something under Sec. of the Acts
of March 3, 1870, which says lit shall be
lawful for the directors OF any corpora.
ton founded under chapters So, 81 and 55 Of
the Code, to take under their guardianship
= children under il years of age,
who, upon the application OF said DIrec-
tors, may be committed to their care by
any Judge of Circuit Court on
account OF exposure TO want or
suffering" &c.
Cold weather is at hand, snd these lit
tie children, practically without shelter,
food or clothing, should be taken care Of
at once.
THE TEMPERANCE MEETING
At the Capitol Rink, yesterday Afternoon
and Evening.
A large crowd assembled at the Capitol
Rink, yesterday afternoon, 10 hear Major
Camp lecture on the subject of Temper
ancs. The speaker related an incident OF
the late war ia saph q nathetic manner